Chapter 9

Adam never expected to hit someone, let alone Janice. He took several seconds to process the shocking situation before rushing to check on the unconscious woman. He called out, "Janice? Janice, can you hear me?" The silence was deafening, and Adam's heart raced as he realized she was unconscious. He quickly pulled out his phone to call Zachary. "Zachary, I accidentally hit Janice with my car!" "How is that possible?" Zachary asked in disbelief, especially since Janice had just texted him that she was downstairs. "I was picking up Mason from the airport," Adam explained, looking at "Janice's" pale face on the ground. "I turned too fast, and she suddenly ran into the street. I couldn't stop in time... I-It was an accident..." Zachary's brows furrowed together at the mention of his son. "How is she? And is Mason alright?" Mason was the center of his world. For reasons only Zachary knew, Mason's safety and well-being were paramount, and Zachary often took him along, even on business trips. Adam was fully aware of Mason's importance and quickly reassured him, "Mason's fine. He's just sitting in the car, playing with his toys. Don't worry, Zachary, I'll take Janice to the in-house medical room right now and get Mason checked too. You should get back as soon as you can." As a doctor, Adam knew the medical facilities at Zachary's villa were far more advanced. Compared to making a trip to the hospital, he would be able to deliver immediate treatment in the medical room. "Good," Zachary agreed curtly before striding out. Shortly after Zachary left, the real Janice entered the private room in her designer heels. She had come to witness Cynthia's fate and create an alibi by meeting Zachary. Her real goal, however, was to deepen her connection with him. When she found the room empty, she could not help but frown. She wondered if Zachary had already left. As she stepped out to search for him, a big hand grabbed her arm. It was Liam, who had been searching everywhere for Cynthia. He exclaimed, "Found you at last!" He had searched the entire place, furious that Cynthia had slipped away. Frustrated, he had been on his way upstairs to hire other women when he ran into her. Although she was dressed differently, she looked even more stunning. Liam's grin widened, his intentions unmistakable as he tightened his grip and pulled her close. "Don't even think about running this time. You're mine tonight!" Janice froze, bewildered and horrified. Liam was supposed to be with Cynthia, so what was he doing here? And how dare he touch her? She was Janice Lynch, the cherished daughter of the influential Lynch family and Zachary's fiancée. A man of this caliber should not even be breathing the same air as her. Disgusted, Janice slapped him across the face. Her voice was icy and commanding as she shouted, "Let go of me! I'm not Cynthia! Get your filthy hands off me!" Liam staggered slightly, his expression darkening with rage. Already angry from Cynthia's earlier attack, his temper boiled over from the humiliating slap. "You little bitch! You have no idea who you're messing with!" he snarled, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her toward a nearby couch. "Ah! That hurts!" Janice cried as Liam yanked her by the hair. He dragged her toward the room with brute force, the pain in her scalp unbearable. She had never been treated like this in her life, and the sheer brutality of it sent waves of fear and humiliation coursing through her. As tears streamed down her cheeks, she shouted desperately, "Let me go! Somebody, help me! Please!" Liam ignored her cries and, with a heavy thud, threw her onto the couch.